William "Bill" Callender

William "Bill" Coleman Callender

Columbia, MS

William "Bill" Coleman Callender passed away in Columbia, Mississippi after a short illness on Friday, June 3, 2016.

A celebration of Bill's life will be held at 1:00 PM June 8th at Columbia Presbyterian Church with burial following at Woodlawn Cemetery in Columbia, Mississippi. Rev. Bill Dever and Rev. Caleb Cangelosi will officiate. Visitations will be held at the church from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM June 7th and again June 8th from 11:00 AM until time of services.

Pallbearers will be Robert Bourne, Jerry Breakfield, Bob Byrd, Don Martin, Joe McNeese, and John Smith. Honorary Pallbearers will be Tom Porter, Gary White, officers of Columbia Presbyterian Church and members of the Marion County Bar Association.

Bill was born in Columbia March 22, 1940 to Walter Bernard and Jean Aust Callender.

He graduated The McCallie School of Chattanooga, Tennessee in 1958 and obtained his BA degree from the University of Mississippi in 1962 where he was a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. In 1966 he received his Juris Doctorate from the University of Mississippi.

After completing law school, Bill returned to Columbia to practice with his father in the law firm of Hall, Callender and Dantin. In 1985 he established the law firm of William C. Callender, Attorney at Law, which served the citizens of Columbia until his retirement in 2016. During his time in private practice he also served as City Attorney for Columbia from 1989 until 2009, as well as Youth Court Judge and County Attorney.

Bill was always active in the community. He was a member of the Columbia Lions Club, where he served a term as president and he was also a member of the Jaycees, where he was chosen Key Man of the Year in 1968. Bill was influential in establishing the current Pee Wee Football League in Columbia where he coached for 5 years and served as Commissioner for 30 years.

Bill"s hobbies included golf, fishing, bird watching and playing Duplicate bridge, where he reached Life Master at an unusually young age. He loved Ole Miss and everything involving Ole Miss sports, as well as attending Cincinnati Reds games while visiting his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren.

Bill was a lifelong member of Columbia Presbyterian Church, where he taught Sunday School for over 40 years and served as a Deacon and Elder before becoming Clerk of the Session for over 20 years.

A devoted husband, father, uncle, brother and grandfather, Bill is survived by his wife of 52 years, Diane B. Callender; children, John G. (Cece) Callender of Graham, Washington, Lee B. Callender of Richland, Mississippi, W. Bryan (Rebecca) Callender, of Cincinnati, Ohio; his four grandchildren, Sam, Natalie, Amy, Benjamin; friends too numerous to count, as well as his beloved cat, "Mama Kitty".

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Jean Callender; his sister, Patricia C. Lewis; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Memorial donations may be made in Bill's name to Columbia Presbyterian Church or Harvest Ministries of Carson, Mississippi. Hathorn Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements, (601)731-2000. Friends and family may sign an online guest book at www.hathornfuneralhome.com.